Tag Archives: electric cars

Volkswagen unveiled the I.D. concept family, a new line of electric vehicles, at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show and said it hopes to start producing EVs in the United States by 2023, pointing to its Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant as the location where it might happen.

In October, the German automaker’s board approved a €34 billion investment in electric mobility and autonomous driving capabilities over the next five years. Its goal is to make a million electric cars a year by 2025 and become the world’s largest electric auto manufacturer.

Starting with Volvo earlier this year (if we count out Tesla), several other brands have recently announced their commitment to an electrified future of mobility. At the LA Auto Show, Volkswagen introduced the new I.D. line of electric vehicles, including the Crozz and the Buzz, the former and SUV and the latter a redesign of the automaker’s famous 1960s minibus.

It goes from 0 to 60 miles in six seconds and travels 215 miles on a single charge. Meet Tesla’s Model 3, a mass marketed, affordable electric car expected to have a major impact on the automobile industry.

Tesla unveiled a prototype of the Model 3 on March 31, and already online orders for the car have reached more than 133,000 and counting. The Model 3 can be reserved in the United States for a $1,000 deposit. The inaugural shipment is expected to arrive at the end of 2017, first for customers on the West Coast, then the East Coast and finally, overseas. The cost of the Tesla starts at $35,000.

According to Tesla’s official release, the Model 3 “combines real world range, performance, safety and spaciousness into a premium sedan and is designed to attain the highest safety ratings in every category.” The car seats five.

The electric automobile is also expected to exceed the mileage number of 215 with all model cars including support for Tesla’s high-speed Supercharging network, which allows the car to stay charged for longer periods of time.

Tesla’s Model 3 is being marketed with the tagline, “accelerating sustainable transport.” While it’s clear the Model 3 will advance sustainability in transportation and ultimately advanced energy progress for the nation, Forbes is already calling the Model 3 a game changer stating that, “on the face of it Tesla appears to be another car company. But something much more significant is afoot. This sales level, at these prices, when the underlying economics of use seem to be moving in the opposite direction indicates that Tesla has tapped into an unmet need. Its products are impressing a large number of people, and they are buying at premium prices. Based on recent orders Tesla is vastly outselling competitive electric automobiles made by competitors, all of whom are much bigger and better resourced. And those are all the signs of a real game changer.”

This is a milestone event for the electric car industry and sustainable transportation, and one event that is sure to have a positive impact on the mission of TAEBC.